In 1823, the French Government established the “Ecole de Medicine de Pondichery”. In 13th July 1964, the Government of India renamed it as Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). The institute is headed by Director as its Chief Executive. The Medical Superintendent of the hospital coordinates the entire gamut of activities related to patient care. The Dean helps Director in coordination of all academic activities of the institute including teaching and research.

JIPMER, Pondicherry has a tertiary care referral hospital and is under the direct administrative control of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. JIPMER imparts quality education in Undergraduate and Post-graduate medical and paramedical courses, set trends in medical research and offers high order patient care.

JIPMER is active in research in different fields of modern medicine & health and medical education. A research council looks after the research activities and scientific society provides forum for presentation of the research work. A number of conferences, workshops, seminars and training courses are conducted by the institute every year. Funds for research come from different mural and extramural sources like ICMR, UGC, DBT, WHO, etc. A number of research papers are published by residents and faculty staff every year in various national and international journals. Indian Journal of Pharmacology is published from JIPMER.

JIPMER is affiliated to Pondicherry University. Admission to the courses available at JIPMER are made on the basis of merit through All India Entrance Examinations conducted by JIPMER, Pondicherry.